International Teacher Podcast

TP - 166: Who gets to lead—and who feels they belong—in international schools? Kevin Simpson, founder of the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC), joins the International Teachers Podcast to explore representation, inclusive school leadership, and opportunities for educators of color. From his teaching journey in Laos and Dubai to building a global community, Kevin shares how mentorship, leadership development, and meaningful action can help international schools move beyond DEI statements. Discover AIELOC’s aspiring leaders program, professional learning opportunities, and ways to get involved—and hear why creating belonging starts with listening to the voices of teachers and students.
AIELOC — Official Website — Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color.
Aspiring Leaders of Color — The leadership development and mentorship program discussed in the episode.
New Leaders of Color — Support and coaching for educators beginning their leadership journeys.
AIELOC Webinars and Events — Professional learning opportunities and past session recordings.
AIELOC Conferences and Meet Ups — Opportunities to connect with the community.
AIELOC Membership — Information about joining the organization.
Meet the AIELOC Team — Learn more about the people behind the organization.
Contact AIELOC — Ask about programs, participation, and getting involved.

-more information-

The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:
Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw⁠
Signup to be our guest  ⁠https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01⁠

Our Website⁠ -  ⁠https://www.itpexpat.com/⁠

Our FaceBook Group - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat⁠

⁠JPMint Consulting Website  - ⁠https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/⁠

Hannah’s Personal IG - https://www.instagram.com/thatexpatfamily?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO⁠

Children’s Book Series (on Amazon) By Hannah Loney:
Passport Adventures: The Pearl of Kuwait (Book 1)

Books (on Amazon) By Gregory Lemoine:
Stay for the Show (2026) | Greg’s first Childrens Picture Book

⁠International Teacher Guide: Finding the "Right Fit" 2nd Edition (2025)⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.
⁠⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

ITP - 165 You've built a life in America, established your teaching career, and found a place to call home. But what happens when your J-1 visa runs out? Do you really have to pack your bags and leave? In this episode of the International Teacher Podcast, immigration attorney Kaushik Ranchod joins us to unravel the complexities of J-1 visa waivers, green cards, and the rapidly changing landscape of U.S. immigration law. Discover what options may be available to international teachers who want to stay, the mistakes that could jeopardize their future, and why waiting until your visa is about to expire could be your biggest mistake. If you're teaching in America or dreaming of making the move, this is an episode you won't want to miss!
Kaushik's Contact Information:
Phone: 916-613-3553
Email: info@ranchodlaw.com
J-1 waiver website: j1visawaiver.net
YouTube: @TheGreenCardLawyer
LinkedIn: Search Kaushik Ranchod

-more information-

The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:
Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw⁠
Signup to be our guest  ⁠https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01⁠

Our Website⁠ -  ⁠https://www.itpexpat.com/⁠

Our FaceBook Group - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat⁠

⁠JPMint Consulting Website  - ⁠https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/⁠

Hannah’s Personal IG - https://www.instagram.com/thatexpatfamily?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO⁠

Children’s Book Series (on Amazon) By Hannah Loney:
Passport Adventures: The Pearl of Kuwait (Book 1)

Books (on Amazon) By Gregory Lemoine:
Stay for the Show (2026) | Greg’s first Childrens Picture Book

⁠International Teacher Guide: Finding the "Right Fit" 2nd Edition (2025)⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.
⁠⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

This episode explores Alpha School, an alternative K–12 model that uses adaptive technology for core academics and human “guides” for coaching, relationships, and life skills.
Alpha’s model rests on three commitments:
Students will love school.

Students will achieve twice the expected annual academic growth.

Students will learn practical, real-world life skills.

Students spend roughly two hours each morning completing personalized, mastery-based academics through Alpha’s “TimeBack” system. The platform identifies gaps, adjusts difficulty, and tracks engaged learning time. Afternoons focus on skills such as independence, grit, teamwork, leadership, financial literacy, public speaking, emotional regulation, and giving and receiving feedback.
Adults are called guides rather than teachers because their main role is not delivering academic content. They motivate students, build relationships, coach behavior and life skills, and design learning experiences. Campuses reportedly maintain approximately seven students per adult. Roles include guide assistants, guides, lead guides, and head guides, with guide salaries starting at $100,000. Traditional teaching credentials are not always required; Alpha also recruits experienced coaches, athletes, and corporate leaders.
Guest Matt Shenker argues that AI is not replacing the human side of teaching. Instead, it handles parts of academic instruction that technology can personalize efficiently, freeing adults to concentrate on work that depends on human connection—socialization, motivation, emotional regulation, and personal development.
Students begin with assessments tied to Common Core standards, and Alpha uses NWEA MAP testing to measure progress. According to Shenker, incoming students average approximately 2.5 grade levels behind their age-based placement. He also claims that 95–98% of Alpha students report loving school and about half would choose school over vacation. These figures are presented by Alpha’s representative and are not independently evaluated in the conversation.
Parents apply to the school, and prospective students attend a shadow day for academic and life-skills assessment. Each campus also has a “Dean of Parents” who manages family communication, allowing guides to focus on students. Parents are expected to support children through difficult challenges without immediately rescuing them and to accept frequent experimentation and change.
Enjoy this episode.
You can check out their Promotional Video at: https://youtu.be/nA1mDfJzTgo?si=zAr88_rhzSFs3EfS
-more information-
The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:
Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw⁠
Signup to be our guest  ⁠https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01⁠

Our Website⁠ -  ⁠https://www.itpexpat.com/⁠

Our FaceBook Group - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat⁠

⁠JPMint Consulting Website  - ⁠https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/⁠

Hannah’s Personal IG - https://www.instagram.com/thatexpatfamily?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO⁠

Children’s Book Series (on Amazon) By Hannah Loney:
Passport Adventures: The Pearl of Kuwait (Book 1)

Books (on Amazon) By Gregory Lemoine:
Stay for the Show (2026) | Greg’s first Childrens Picture Book

⁠International Teacher Guide: Finding the "Right Fit" 2nd Edition (2025)⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.
⁠⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

Episode 163, Featuring Dr. Josiah Marr, takes us on a family gap year with an unusual itinerary: visiting international schools around the world. From Europe to Asia and into his new leadership role in Manila, Josiah shares how curiosity, faith, and generous mentors opened doors to remarkable schools and meaningful connections. Join us for a lively conversation about faith-based education, life abroad with young children, and what happens when you reach out and ask, “Could I visit your school?” Along the way, expect food adventures, a police encounter, and plenty of laughs.
We apologize for any misspellings of names. It is our intention to include a little information for Guest Shout-outs to individuals and schools we talk about in our episodes. Of course, please reach out to us at internationalteacherpodcast@gmail.com if you recognize a mistake or wish to inquire more about topics in this, or any, episode. We are fallible humans, not some AI podcast. Our mistakes are our own.
Episode context
Life Academy International
Metro Manila, Philippines
His new deputy head of school role; 01:57, 42:51
Salem Elementary School
Sackville, New Brunswick
His childhood school; 03:37
Canadian International School of Beijing
Beijing, China
Fredericton Christian Academy
Fredericton, New Brunswick
International Community School Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand
International Christian School
Hong Kong
Frankfurt International School
Germany
International School of Geneva — Ecolint
Geneva, Switzerland
Neuchâtel Junior College
Zurich International School
Inter-Community School Zurich
American International School Vienna
International Christian School of Vienna
Leysin American School
Faith Academy
Yongsan International School of Seoul
International Community School Singapore
Bandung Alliance Intercultural School
Rio International School
International Community School Udon Thani
Jakarta Intercultural School
Sekolah Pelita Harapan — SPH
United World College of South East Asia — UWCSEA

Universities also mentioned
University of New Brunswick
University of Toronto
University of Northern Iowa — UNI
Iowa State University
Grand Canyon University
Oklahoma Baptist University
Liberty University
Two clarifications:
Greg’s “Moorhead / Moreland / Moorland” reference at 08:13–08:36 (correction) Minnesota State University Moorhead. Student teaching information.

ACSI confirms the three universities listed above for its 2026 job fair tour. Grand Canyon University is in Phoenix, Arizona, rather than Colorado.

Individuals Dr. Marr mentioned
Dr. Gioia Morasch
FIS leadership directory
Dr. Jeremy Majeski
FIS official staff listing
Andrew J. Keleher
NJC biography
Tim Shuman
ACSI article identifying Shuman and his role
Dr. Tim Stuart
Search Associates biography
Dr. Angela Patterson
ACSI international schools team
Dr. David Lovelin
JIS leadership directory
Nick Alchin
UWCSEA biography
Aaron Cardon — 
Professional profile listing CISB
Taylor Shockey — 
ICS Udon Thani faculty directory
Julie McKay — 
Other useful episode links
Dr. Josiah Marr’s website and school visit articles

ACSI — Association of Christian Schools International

NICS — Network of International Christian Schools

Search Associates

WASC school accreditation

Middle States school accreditation — MSA-CESS

International Schools Services — ISS

Global Recruitment Collaborative — GRC

Ep 162 - Welcome to the Bi-Weekly offshoot episodes about Retirement, Financial Freedom, Planning for the Future, and other conversations for international educators.

Our first Retirement International Teacher Podcast (RITP) episode features cohosts Jake Loney & Greg Lemoine. JP is featured as our first guest of this series because she happens to be a successful retiree - since she officially retired at age 49.
We spend this first episode setting up the show and navigating through a lot of questions and learning a lot about retiring in Mexico.
*** the RITP episodes will fall biweekly between the regular episodes of the International Teacher Podcast.***